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Partners &amp; Events

Join one of the top GovTech accelerators in the world to gain access to mentorship, funding, PPP certifications, city officials, and pilot opportunities for your solution. Apply by April 30th!

Path to Planetary Resilience&nbsp;

What would $100,000 in non-equity funding do for your solution?

At Leading Cities, we empower urban transformation by bridging the gap between challenges and smart, scalable solutions.

Over $1.5 Billion

LaunchPad 11 is a virtual incubator and collaborative workspace where urban innovators and city leaders connect to tackle pressing challenges. Through membership, participants gain access to a global network, resources, and opportunities to shape the future of resilient cities.

Empowering Communities to Further Planetary Resilience

Applications Now Open: QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge

Leading Cities and Afkar Collective have partnered to explore the role of urban forests in climate resilience, highlighting how tree canopies can mitigate extreme heat, enhance disaster preparedness, and strengthen urban sustainability.

Leading Cities and itselectric, the 2023 AcceliCITY winner, are bringing first-of-its-kind curbside EV charging to Boston, demonstrating how off-grid technology can advance climate goals, expand clean transportation access, and build more resilient urban infrastructure.

Over $2.2 Billion

Leading Cities Consulting helps municipalities accelerate the adoption of climate and resilience solutions by providing tailored advisory support, deployment strategies, and ecosystem connections. Through innovative models that standardize implementation and aggregate demand, we make it easier for cities to scale proven solutions efficiently.&nbsp;

The Leading Cities Academy (LCA) is a certified curriculum designed to help startups and entrepreneurs navigate public-private partnerships (PPP), city procurement, and urban innovation. While LCA is a core part of AcceliCITY, it is also available as a standalone program for those looking to deepen their understanding of working with cities. Participants receive expert-led training on critical topics like securing government contracts, scaling in the public sector, and attracting smart city investors. Upon completion, startups earn a PPP Readiness Certification.

Stay informed about the events and initiatives that Leading Cities is actively engaged in. From global summits to specialized programs, we connect with thought leaders, innovators, and cities to drive meaningful change. Discover how we’re helping shape the future of urban resilience, sustainability, and innovation through our ongoing participation in key events and collaborations.

Resilience isn’t a destination—it’s an ongoing commitment to building stronger, more sustainable communities. Leading Cities walks alongside those driving change, transforming bold ideas into real-world solutions that shape a more resilient and regenerative future. Here's how we can help you at every stage of ongoing resilience:

AcceliGOV provides cities with fully funded pilot opportunities, matching cities with vetted solutions that address critical resilience challenges. This program allows cities to test emerging technologies in a real-world setting, reducing risk and paving the way for wider adoption.

AcceliCITY is a global accelerator that helps startups scale technology-driven solutions for urban resilience and sustainability by connecting them with city leaders, funding, and expert mentorship. Through the QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge and the QBE AcceliCITY Humanitech Challenge, entrepreneurs receive over $125,000 in prizes, pilot opportunities, and a certified curriculum in public-private partnership readiness. With direct access to decision-makers and ongoing support beyond the challenge, AcceliCITY turns innovation into real-world impact.

Leading Cities' Commitment to Action with the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) pledges to deploy 100 smart city solutions in 100 cities worldwide, accelerating urban resilience and sustainability. Discover the partnership.

Our start-ups have created

Over 21,370 jobs

Massachusetts' annual Climate Innovation of the Year Award showcases the state's cutting-edge climate technologies, with finalists spanning sectors from electrification to carbon removal. Read on to learn which pioneering company received this year’s top honor.

Apply for the QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge

C.I.V.I.C. is a matchmaking program connecting investors with pre-vetted smart city startups focused on sustainability and resilience. By curating investment opportunities and fostering key connections, it accelerates funding for transformative urban solutions.

Leading Cities helps governments fund, de-risk, and scale breakthrough sustainability and resiliency innovations.

Phase 4: Investment &amp; Fundraising

The Leading Cities Academy (LCA) is a certified curriculum designed to help startups and entrepreneurs navigate public-private partnerships (PPP), city procurement, and urban innovation. While LCA is a core part of AcceliCITY, it is also available as a standalone program for those looking to deepen their understanding of working with cities. Participants receive expert-led training on critical topics like securing government contracts, scaling in the public sector, and attracting smart city investors. Upon completion, startups earn a PPP Readiness Certification.

Leading Cities' Commitment to Action with the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) pledges to deploy 100 smart city solutions in 100 cities worldwide, accelerating urban resilience and sustainability. Discover the partnership.

Since its inception, Leading Cities has directly supported, mentored, and provided growth opportunities to hundreds of startups, driving real-world impact through innovation, collaboration, and strategic partnerships.

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Leading Cities is a global Smart City non-profit organization connecting government leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, investors, city leaders, and international business leaders to drive increased sustainability and resiliency in cities around the world. 